(CNN) – Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday that Democrats are failing in their attempts to frame the GOP as a party that wages a war against women, and argued the message comes from the party of former President Bill Clinton, whose reputation is still tarnished from his “predatory behavior” in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"The whole thing of the 'war on women,' I sort of laughingly say, 'Yeah, there might have been – but the women are winning it,'" the Republican senator from Kentucky said on CNN's "State of the Union." He said women have made great strides and, as an example, now make up more than half the students at medical and law schools.Follow @politicaltickerFollow @KilloughCNN

"And I think some of the victimology and all of this other stuff is trumped up. We don't get to any good policy by playing some sort of charade that somehow one party doesn't care about women or one party is not in favor of women advancing, or other people advancing."

As the GOP gears up for the 2014 midterms, some in the party have acknowledged that Republican candidates could do better when it comes to talking about women's issues.

"Some of our members just aren't as sensitive as they ought to be." House Speaker John Boehner said last month, when asked about efforts by the House GOP campaign arm to improve how candidates appeal to female voters.

CNN's chief political correspondent, Candy Crowley, pressed Paul on whether the issue is a "matter of words and tone."

"Somewhat," Paul said. "I think also a lot of the debates we have in Washington and in the public, generally, are dumbed down. They're characterized and we get to the point where we're talking about stuff and throwing stuff back and forth, and we are never getting to the truth."

Paul's comments came in response to a question about controversial remarks made by 2008 GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee last week at a meeting of the Republican National Committee.

"Our party stands for the recognition of the equality of women and the capacity of women," Huckabee said. "That is not a war on them; it is a war for them. And if the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing them a prescription each month for birth control, because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government, then so be it."

In a separate interview Sunday, Paul said Democrats have “concocted” the supposed “war on women,” but they tend to ignore Clinton’s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

“One of the workplace laws and rules that I think are good is that bosses shouldn't prey on young interns in their office,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“He took advantage of a girl that was 20 years old and an intern in his office,” he continued. (Lewinsky was closer to 22 when she started her internship in 1995 and moved to a paid position later that year.)

“There is no excuse for that, and that is predatory behavior. And it should be something we shouldn't want to associate with, people who would take advantage of a young girl in his office.”

Paul’s wife, Kelley, said in a Vogue article last year that if Hillary Clinton becomes the next president, Bill Clinton’s history with Lewinsky “should complicate his return to the White House, even as First Spouse.”

Asked if Bill Clinton’s past should be a consideration in a potential second presidential bid by his wife, Paul said he’s “not saying that,” but “sometimes it’s hard to separate one from the other.” When it comes to judging Bill Clinton’s legacy, however, Paul said the affair should certainly be considered a factor.

“Someone who takes advantage of a young girl in their office? I mean, really. And then (Democrats) have the gall to stand up and say, ‘Republicans are having a war on women’?” he said. “Now, it's not Hillary's fault … but it is a factor in judging Bill Clinton in history.”

CNN's Steve Brusk contributed to this report.

Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.

soundoff(137 Responses)

karek40

I am not a Clinton fan, however in the Lewinsky case Bill Clinton was not a predator and Mr. Paul is wrong. Miss Lewinsky got exactly what she wanted – to be with the president and the notoriety for making it public. Mr. Clinton fell victim to the same temptation all men in power in the lime light (whether political or athletic) are subject to. It just happens he was weak in this area, certainly not a predator. The women/girls who cast themselves at these men's feet are the predators. I think the modern day term is cougars in my day they were vamps and after that groupies.

January 26, 2014 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Randy

Holy smokes. I think the country gets just a little bit dumber every time Paul opens his mouth.

January 26, 2014 08:21 pm at 8:21 pm |

rs

Republicans- the party of so-called "small government" keep trying to justify their old man's interest in controlling what lies in women's pants. They are deeply sick people too juvenile to understand their problems.

January 26, 2014 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

lolotte

I am a women and i will vote for Rand Paul, he is so down to earth, we do not need political party...

January 26, 2014 08:45 pm at 8:45 pm |

eleming

GOP was rewriting history on Sunday. Cruz saying he didn't cause the shutdown. Rand saying Bill Clinton was the predator when Monica pursued him. The Republicans seem unable to keep from lying and creating fantastical histories.

January 27, 2014 04:20 am at 4:20 am |

NATHAN WIMBERLY

Keep the live mikes in Rand and Huckabees' faces every month until November.

January 27, 2014 06:38 am at 6:38 am |

MaryM

Just keep talking GOP men. You are the democrats best ally

January 27, 2014 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

ChrisM

When will the GOP understand that it is their policies that the Majority of the American people REJECT.

January 27, 2014 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

Dead Bear

Rand Paul has got to be the dumbest doctor I know... p.s. How can someone trust a guy who didn't even support his own father in the Republican primaries??? This man is a disgrace.

January 27, 2014 09:36 am at 9:36 am |

Durundal

Did he just try to equate the willing engagement of an albeit extramarital affair to the designed inability for a woman to decide how to deal with matters concerning her own body?? This guy needs to go crawl back under whatever rock he lives under and leave government to intelligent people. To many yokels with stone age notions trying to mob the government

January 27, 2014 09:37 am at 9:37 am |

rs

eleming

GOP was rewriting history on Sunday. Cruz saying he didn't cause the shutdown. Rand saying Bill Clinton was the predator when Monica pursued him. The Republicans seem unable to keep from lying and creating fantastical histories.
_______________________
Most members of the GOP live rich fantasy lives- whether to defect their guilt, or to deny their responsibility. They are a sorry lot.

January 27, 2014 10:07 am at 10:07 am |

Carol

What a dumb person. It has always been a common curiosity in politics that family members not be dragged into the fray out of respect. Apparently Paul has no common curiosity! Bill Clinton is not running for President! Perhaps Paul should be talking about Vitter who is still sitting on the Senate.